Orhan Bey

Orhan Bey (1281-March 1362) was the Bey of the Ottoman Beylik from 1327 to 1359, succeeding Osman and preceding Murad I of Turkey.

Biography
Orhan was born in 1281 in Sogut, Turkey, the son of Osman and Malhun Hatun. He succeeded his father as the Bey of the Ottoman Beylik in 1327, and he focused on conquering northwestern Asia Minor from the Byzantine Empire. Orhan won the 10-11 June 1329 Battle of Pelekanon against Andronicus III of Byzantium, and he conquered the Karasids and Ahis. During the civil war in the Byzantine Empire from 1341 to 1347, John VI of Byzantium married his daughter Theodora Kantakouzene to Orhan, gaining his allegiance during the war. Orhan looted Thrace, and from 1352 to 1357 Orhan aided John against John V of Byzantium in another civil war. In March 1354, Gallipoli fell to the Turks after an earthquake. Orhan died at the age of 81 in 1362, having given power to his second son Murad I of Turkey.